Letterman, Leno Pair Up for Super Bowl Commercial

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 7th 2010 08:45PM

If you thought the bad blood between Jay Leno and David Letterman would keep the two late-night stalwarts in separate rooms for the rest of their lives, think again: The constantly-clashing duo teamed up -- along with Oprah Winfrey -- for a Super Bowl commercial plugging Dave's show. The surprise factor (and sheer awkwardness) of the spot made it one of the night's most memorable.

The ad, which was a reprise of a 2007 ad that Letterman did with Winfrey, was meant to poke fun at the recent tension between Jay and Dave sparked by the 'Tonight Show' battle that eventually led to Conan O'Brien leaving NBC.

In the commercial, a disgruntled Letterman declares that he's at "the worst Super Bowl party ever." Seconds later, the camera pans away to reveal Leno, who admits that Dave "is just saying that because I'm here."

Letterman and Leno did in fact film the commercial together, as Oprah Winfrey tweeted seconds after the ad ran that it was shot this week at the Ed Sullivan Theater with all three in attendance.

So, How Did This Happen?

According to Rob Burnett, who produces Dave's 'Late Show,' it was all Letterman's idea.

"Dave had this idea, 'What about getting Jay and Oprah together with me?' and he wrote it," Burnett explained in an interview with the Associated Press Sunday night. "We said, 'This is too funny to pass up.' First we called Oprah."

Arrangements were quickly made for Leno and Winfrey to fly to New York, and much detail was given to getting them inside the Ed Sullivan Theater unnoticed.

"We really wanted to keep this under wraps," he said. "There were a lot of internal logistical conversations about how to even get Jay and Oprah into our building secretly."

Filming took place last Tuesday. Leno arrived while Letterman was taping his show. He was disguised in a hooded sweatshirt, dark glasses and a fake mustache. No joke. Filming took less than a half-hour, Burnett said.

"It was quick, it was easy," he said. "The attitude was professional and cordial. Dave and Jay were fine with each other."

What About Conan?

Burnett told The Wrap that Conan O'Brien was initially thought about when conceiving the ad. But alas, the timing wasn't right for a Jay-Dave-Conan summit and it never got off the ground.

"There was an initial thought of having Dave, Jay and Conan together in the spot," Burnett said. "I did call Jeff Ross (O'Brien's producer) to talk about it."

Unfortunately, the idea came about just as O'Brien was finishing up his run on 'The Tonight Show,' so he was a bit too busy to entertain the idea.

"It wasn't as if they even said no," Burnett said. "I just think they weren't in a position to consider it all."

The two hosts have had a tumultuous relationship for decades, but it was recently rekindled thanks to Leno's reclaiming of the 'Tonight Show' on NBC. In the days leading up to O'Brien's departure, Letterman ripped Leno on several occasions, calling his behavior that pushed Conan out "vintage Jay."

Strangely enough, the commercial is an ad for Letterman's show, which Leno will soon compete directly against once again when he returns to his 11:30 slot following the Olympics.

Tags: david letterman, jay leno, super bowl

Comments

(187)

Monday 08 February

By wantedmytrulove

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Id loved seeing Bush looking for WMD in Iraq

By cooj

I thought the Oprah ad was great. It's nice to lighten it up and to be only reminded of silly problems like Dave vs Jay instead of the world's larger issues. I would say the half time lighting was the best part of the show. The Who looked like what they are, a bunch of old guys for the most part, and someone said the songs they played were the ones CBS already paid for the use of in other ads...so that's probably why The Who. Makes sense with the economy.

By Barodasupv

The WHO should change their name to The WHY in God's name!!!

By Mike

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That was funny and accurate. In their day they could rock, but that was in their day. Last night was not their day!!

By Vic

The Ad was very funny-DID THE FAT LADY-in the middle sing after the game?

By L. Dave

I thought that most of the ads were stupid or boring. A couple were annoying. A couple were nice but this was the worst bunch of ads overall for the Super Bowl in years.

By Frederick Thomas

First you must find an entity that can afford to throw away a few million. These days, even those with money to waste, are cheap. The ads were stupid. Fortunately, the game was good. It seems Budweiser has money to burn. They sure need to find a new ad agency. Under the new Supreme Court decision. Budweiser may be the first corp, to buy their own share of government. Soon, government by Budweiser, for Exxon, and for Wall Street.

By kayeschenburg

You go "Diana". couldn't have said it better! All 3...LOSERS!

By VimalaNowlis

Letterman is a SORE LOSER. He was bitter because NBC didn't want him for the Tonight Show 17 years ago. He took it out on Leno instead.

By vic

You'd be sore too if you got stiffed for millions of dollars? Are you naive?

By sal

Money is a good thing, the more you make the more you can pay in taxes to bring down the National Debt so that our enemy-the congress and Obama's rip off of our treasury can continue.
Where was that aid? Jack Daniels and Prozac missed a great opportunity with this subject matter.

By Dave

The Rich don't pay taxes its the 80% percentile working stiffs like you and I that support the gov't and dead beats through taxes. Which does not have zip to do with Leno, "Fat Lady" and Letterman.

By George Marrone

Let's face it. If conan o'brien had high ratings coupled with leno's low 10 o'clock ratings that would have been the end of leno. Conan really did leno a big favor- he bombed. letterman and leno have to coexist or both go down in flames.

By Dan

Leno is only about 30 times more entertaining than Letterman.

By Butch

Einstein-how did you arrive at your profound mathematical conclusion of 30% or was that just a number you pulled out of your echo chamber?

By stupidPEOPLE

Butch - He said 30 times not 30%, Einstein.

By Vince

Super ad!! It was very generous of both gentlemen, particularly Jay, inasmuch as it was promoting Dave's show - and Oprah's always great just by showing up.

By nan1508

It was great to see Jay, Oprah and David. Good spot!!!

You just can't please everyone all of the time. Too many cynics and isn't that what Conan said in his final show? All three are entertainers and if you do not like their shows....don't watch. There is a dial.

By lbdague

The Clydesdale Ad? What a joke. A Texas Longhorn Steer in Virginia...shows what viewers know about our country.

The Jordan/Bird remake with lebron was first. The Betty White Football game was second and the little kid slapping the guy looking at his mom's butt was third.

By Eubie Dooooo

Where's Conan? it still goes to show you that Dave and Jay are still buddies :o)

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